Spanish contenders fly the flag

Spanish contenders Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF are out to make it two UEFA Champions League wins from two as Matchday Two concludes tonight.

Standard set
The four Champions League representatives from the Primera División are all fancied to go far in this year's competition after an excellent showing by Spanish teams in recent years. Last night, FC Barcelona maintained their 100 per cent record with a 2-0 win at Galatasaray SK, although RC Deportivo La Coruña were surprisingly beaten 4-0 at home by AC Milan.

Roaring start
Madrid, the defending champions, got off to a roaring start last week with a 3-0 away victory over main Group C rivals AS Roma. Despite Ronaldo's continued absence at the Santiago Bernabéu this evening, Madrid will be more than confident against Belgian champions KRC Genk while Roma will look to pick up the pieces at AEK Athens. AEK drew 0-0 at Genk on Matchday One.

Basel hoping
Like Madrid, Valencia also had a tremendous start to the competition when they beat Group B opponents Liverpool FC 2-0. The Spanish title-holders travel to Russia to meet FC Spartak Moskva, who themselves succumbed to a 2-0 defeat last week. Spartak were beaten by Swiss club FC Basel, who now head to Anfield to take on Liverpool knowing a win would put them in a commanding position.

Bergkamp travelled
Another English Premiership club, Arsenal FC, are hoping for a positive result at PSV Eindhoven in Group A. Arsenal have included non-flying striker Dennis Bergkamp in their squad, after he took a ferry and a car to the Dutch city. Arsenal were 2-0 home winners against BV Borussia Dortmund last week while PSV drew 0-0 at AJ Auxerre. Auxerre are on the road this week, and face a Dortmund side aiming to bounce back in style.

Ajax on a high
The final action of the night comes in Group D as Internazionale FC host AFC Ajax in a repeat of the 1972 European Champion Clubs' Cup final which Ajax won 2-0. Inter will be looking for a win in Turin after a 2-2 draw in Norway against Rosenborg BK last time out. Ajax will travel on a high after seeing off Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 at home. Lyon can make amends when they welcome Rosenborg in the other match.